Bomber Report – Winnipeg Free Press

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Riders QB Trevor Harris (above) broke into the CFL in 2012 with Bombers QB Zach Collaros.

Veteran CFL QBs aging well

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

It’s hard to believe the Toronto Argonauts once had Ricky Ray, Jarious Jackson, Zach Collaros and Trevor Harris all in their quarterback room in 2012.

If you ask Harris, it’s even harder to believe he and Collaros — who broke into the CFL that season together as rookies — are still in the three-down loop today slinging it.

“I remember our first year in the league, we (were leaving after the season) and Swayze Waters (the Argos kicker at the time) was like ‘Man, we’re never going to see Zach Collaros ever again,’” said Harris.

“Because he was ready to go home. He was like ‘I’m done, I’m ready to get out of here.’ And here he is all this time later. I thought he’d get into coaching a little bit sooner, but he’s really turned himself into a first ballot hall-of-famer. He’s been absolutely incredible.”

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Riders O-lineman says playing in Winnipeg helped make him a man

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Riders O-lineman says playing in Winnipeg helped make him a man

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Peeking out of Jermarcus Hardrick’s Saskatchewan Roughriders Grey Cup hoodie on Wednesday was a tattoo that you wouldn’t expect to see on someone in green and white.

Displayed on his left forearm is the Grey Cup trophy, featuring the Winnipeg Blue Bombers logo and their unofficial mantra: FIFO — which stands for Fit in or F-off.

Hardrick, a standout right tackle for the Bombers from 2016-23, got inked shortly after Winnipeg captured the top prize in Canadian football in 2019. He wasn’t the only one.

“We literally got (to the tattoo parlour) at eight in the morning and we left by midnight. Every other hour a truck (with players) was pulling up… and next thing I know we looked up and everyone had blood on their arms,” said Hardrick during media day at the RBC Convention Centre.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Bombers’ Kramdi will have more than 20 family members in stands for East semifinal

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Bombers’ Kramdi will have more than 20 family members in stands for East semifinal

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

It’s playoff football in Redha Kramdi’s hometown, and he’ll have 20-plus family members and friends in the crowd to cheer him on.

Surely, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers dime back must feel at least some pressure heading into Saturday’s East Division semifinal in Montreal against the Alouettes.

“It’s a game. I’ve been through so much in life that this is a privilege to be here,” said Kramdi earlier this week. “I would be a fool to be stressed or feel pressure about playing playoff football.”

As the son of Algerian immigrants, Kramdi learned at a young age what real pressure looks like. The family was situated in a rough area of Montreal and his parents worked two, sometimes three jobs to provide a better life for their four kids.

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Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS files
Redha Kramdi (right) grew up in Montreal as one of four children of hard-working immigrant parents.

Bombers’ Vaval named Most Outstanding Rookie, Special Teams Player finalist

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Preview

Bombers’ Vaval named Most Outstanding Rookie, Special Teams Player finalist

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

The accolades continue to pour in for Trey Vaval.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers return specialist was named the West Division’s representative for both the Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player awards on Thursday.

Toronto Argonauts kicker Lirim Hajrullahu (special teams) and Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Devin Veresuk (rookie) are the finalists coming out of the East Division.

Vaval led the CFL in punt returns (75), punt return yards (957), missed field goal return yards (391), and return touchdowns (two on kickoffs, one via punt, and one missed field goal return). He also made four starts at cornerback this season where he recorded 21 defensive tackles and picked off a pass against Montreal on Aug. 21.

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Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Trey Vaval set a franchise record in September when he returned a 128-yard missed field goal for a touchdown against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

A lot on the line in CFL’s final week

Jeff Hamilton 7 minute read Preview

A lot on the line in CFL’s final week

Jeff Hamilton 7 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

With only one week left in the CFL regular season, there’s still plenty to figure out before the playoffs begin.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are the only club in the league that heads into Week 21 knowing its fate. At 12-5, win or lose this week, the Riders will finish with the league’s best record and atop the West Division.

We already know the other five teams joining Saskatchewan in the post-season, but we don’t know where they’ll end up. That includes figuring out which West team will be crossing over to the East Division.

While there are several different ways this weekend could unfold, it’s best to start with the teams that control their own destiny.

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Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Spencer Colby / THE CANADIAN PRESS files
Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo was key to the Elks turnaround this season.

Demski expected to be ready for playoffs

Taylor Allen 1 minute read Preview

Demski expected to be ready for playoffs

Taylor Allen 1 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are expecting a much-needed boost for the post-season.

Head coach Mike O’Shea revealed to reporters after Tuesday’s practice that the team anticipates star receiver Nic Demski (hamstring) will be ready to go two weeks from now when they’re on the road for the West or East semifinal.

Demski pulled up lame on a deep pass attempt in Oct. 11’s 25-20 loss in Edmonton and went on to miss last week’s 17-16 win over Saskatchewan.

O’Shea said Demski, who has been a non-participant at practice this week, won’t play in Saturday’s regular season finale against Montreal.

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Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025

Heywood Yu / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers anticipate injured receiver Nic Demski will be able to play in two weeks time when the team is playing in the division semifinal.

First-year OC Hogan asks for patience

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First-year OC Hogan asks for patience

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2025

The offensive co-ordinator can be one of the most criticized roles in all pro sports — especially in a football-crazed market.

The criticism usually comes from the stands, and first-year Blue Bombers OC Jason Hogan has certainly heard an earful from paying customers. But on Tuesday, a subtle shot came from his star running back Brady Oliveira.

“I think maybe us players could be put in some better situations to succeed as well so that it always doesn’t fall on the player,” said Oliveira, when asked for his opinion on the negative reviews surrounding the play of backup quarterback Chris Streveler.

Hogan addressed reporters Wednesday and had no issue with Oliveira’s remark.

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Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2025

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Files
Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan (second right) said Wednesday it’s been humbling for him so far this season — even without running back Brady Oliveira’s recent comments (right) — but overall it’s been “an awesome experience.”

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Bombers’ GM well aware of needed changes for club to get back to winning ways

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Bombers’ GM well aware of needed changes for club to get back to winning ways

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Yesterday at 7:02 PM CST

Where do the Winnipeg Blue Bombers go from here?

Their starting quarterback isn’t getting any younger, the offensive line is starting to show cracks, their star running back isn’t guaranteed to return, their best receiver is recovering from another major knee injury, and around a dozen starters on defence could potentially hit free agency.

Returning to Grey Cup glory doesn’t seem so simple.

One of the key people tasked with getting the organization back to contender status is general manager Kyle Walters. He spoke to a room of reporters on Wednesday fresh off signing a three-year contract extension.

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Yesterday at 7:02 PM CST

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Blue Bombers general manager Kyle Walters spoke to the media for the first time on Wednesday after signing a three-year contract extension with the club.

Bombers president/CEO Miller receives Commissioner’s Award

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Bombers president/CEO Miller receives Commissioner’s Award

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

Winnipeg Blue Bombers president and CEO Wade Miller was named the recipient of the CFL’s Commissioner Award prior to Grey Cup kickoff.

The award is presented annually to an individual or group that has made an outstanding contribution to Canadian football.

Under Miller’s leadership, the Bombers have played in front of crowds exceeding 30,000 a league-leading 33 times since 2018. In 2025, the club finished first in attendance for a fourth straight year and sold out every game for the first time in franchise history.

Sunday’s Grey Cup was also a sellout.

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Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

Bombers president/CEO Miller receives Commissioner’s Award

O’Shea, Walters staying put with Bombers

Joshua Frey-Sam 2 minute read Preview

O’Shea, Walters staying put with Bombers

Joshua Frey-Sam 2 minute read Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025

Mike O’Shea isn’t going anywhere. Neither is Kyle Walters.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers inked their head coach and general manager to new contracts on Friday, ending any debate about whether they would be back in 2026.

Both were on deals that were set to expire. The terms of their new contracts were not disclosed.

O’Shea returns for his 12th season as the Bombers’ bench boss, though it didn’t come without some drama. Earlier this week, the product of North Bay, Ont., flew to Toronto to interview for the Argonauts head coaching vacancy. It was later reported that the Hamilton Tiger-Cats also requested to speak with the 55-year-old.

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Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025

O’Shea, Walters staying put with Bombers

Running backs coach Harris looks to stay perfect in Grey Cup

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Running backs coach Harris looks to stay perfect in Grey Cup

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Andrew Harris has never experienced a Grey Cup that didn’t involve Winnipeg.

He beat his hometown Blue Bombers in the 2011 championship as an up-and-coming running back with the B.C. Lions, won back-to-back titles as a member of the Blue and Gold in 2019 and 2021, and reached the top of the three-down league’s mountain again in 2022 when he helped the Toronto Argonauts upset a heavily favoured Winnipeg side.

Harris now has a chance at a fifth career ring this weekend — in a city and on a field that he knows extremely well — this time as a first-year running backs coach with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who will face the Montreal Alouettes at Princess Auto Stadium.

He’s also never experienced a loss on Grey Cup Sunday.

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Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Running backs coach Andrew Harris is a perfect 4-0 in the Grey Cup. Sunday’s game will be his first as a coach.

Main Street mural honours Winnipeg’s three-time Stanley Cup champions

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Main Street mural honours Winnipeg’s three-time Stanley Cup champions

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

The city’s newest piece of artwork brought Dave Benson to tears.

His grandfather, Robert Benson, and the three-time Stanley Cup-winning Winnipeg Victorias (1896, 1901, and 1902) have received a long overdue acknowledgement with a four-story mural on the south wall of the Palomino Club at 436 Main St.

It was installed over a week ago, but officially introduced by the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame & Museum (MHHOF) on Wednesday with a press conference featuring several speakers, including Mayor Scott Gillingham.

“You come down Main Street from the south, and you see it from three or four blocks back. Especially this morning when the sun was shining, it was just gorgeous. I just feel absolute pride,” said an emotional Benson, 72.

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Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
The new Winnipeg Victorias mural was unveiled Wednesday at the Palomino Club.

Oliveira not ruling out trade after Bombers season ends short of Grey Cup

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Oliveira not ruling out trade after Bombers season ends short of Grey Cup

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025

Let’s cut to the chase.

Does Brady Oliveira want to re-sign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers?

“I have nothing but good things to say about my time here, and would I love to be back? Absolutely, but I think I owe it to myself to sit down with my agent and OTG Sports (Management) and to talk to my family and kind of see what the best scenario and situation is for me,” Oliveira told reporters in his end of season press conference at Princess Auto Stadium on Tuesday.

“I know what I can bring and I know I’m a calibre player that can help a team win a championship, so I want to put myself in the best situation to win a championship. This is why I play this game. I don’t play it for none of the awards or any of that stuff, I play it to win a Grey Cup. So I’m going to put myself in the best situation.”

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Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira (right) said Tuesday he has nothing but good things to say about playing for his hometown club, but that he owes it to himself to find the best place to win another Grey Cup.

Bombers confident they can hand Als QB Alexander his first loss

Taylor Allen 8 minute read Preview

Bombers confident they can hand Als QB Alexander his first loss

Taylor Allen 8 minute read Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

MONTREAL — Why not us?

That’s the motto for a Winnipeg Blue Bombers side who is trying to defy the odds this post-season and make it back home for the Grey Cup as a crossover team.

It all starts in Montreal Saturday (1 p.m. CT kickoff) where they must find a way to outlast an extremely talented Alouettes team in the East Division semifinal to keep the dream alive.

“It’s the same mindset no matter how you get to it. It’s been a tough season. It’s a tough conference in the West with the teams that we’ve played,” said Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson on Friday.

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Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

Nick Iwanyshyn / THE CANADIAN PRESS files
Bombers running back Brady Oliveira was a force to be reckoned with when the Big Blue faced Montreal in Week 12.

Bombers, Als exchange words, but game will be decided on the field

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Bombers, Als exchange words, but game will be decided on the field

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

MONTREAL — Davis Alexander has a message for Willie Jefferson and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“Bring Willie over. Bring Winnipeg over. What does he say? Come on down over to Winnipeg? Come on over to Montreal. Let’s see what happens,” said the Montreal Alouettes quarterback in Friday’s media availability at Olympic Stadium.

Everyone will see exactly what happens Saturday when the Als host the Bombers in the East Division semifinal (1 p.m. CT kickoff) at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium.

Winnipeg hasn’t been shy in voicing its confidence leading up to the game — even though history hasn’t been kind to crossover teams.

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Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS files
Willie Jefferson (left) and his Bombers cohorts will be looking to hand Als QB Davis Alexander his first loss in Saturday’s East Division semifinal.

Bombers’ D ready to make a difference

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Bombers’ D ready to make a difference

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025

You see it in hockey all the time when a hot goalie steals a playoff series.

What about football, can a stout defence do something similar at the most important time of year?

“Oh, guaranteed. We feel like we can change the game,” said Blue Bombers linebacker Tony Jones after Tuesday’s practice at Princess Auto Stadium.

“We got the guys to go out there and force a fumble or get an interception. We just feel as a defence we can get the ball back a lot more times to our offence to go help them get more points if they are struggling.”

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Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025

November 20, 2025

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